BRUCE GARRIOCH, QMI Agency

The Senators sent popular centre Mike Fisher to the Nashville Predators for two draft picks which means Ottawa has decided the club has to bottom out to get a high draft pick next season.

The decision to send Fisher packing won’t be a popular one. It raised eyebrows across the NHL. Many felt the Senators should have at least tried to get an established prospect in return.

Nashville didn’t have to take anyone off its roster.

“I was surprised. I thought they should have got a player back,” said a league executive. “The picks are fine, but who is going to play for them next year? This just signals that they’re trying to cut cash and they’re going to go young.”